THE EIGHT VERSES

OF TRAINING (OR TRANSFORMING) THE MIND

by Geshe Langri Thangpa

THREE TRANSLATIONS TRANSLATION 1 TRANSLATION 2 TRANSLATION 3 from Transforming the Mind from Training the Mind provisional Rigpa translation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Verse 1. “Cultivate the View that All Beings are Extremely Kind”With a determination to achieve the By thinking of all sentient beings By thinking of all sentient beings highest aim As even better than the wish-granting As more precious than a wish-fulfillingFor the benefit of all sentient beings gem, jewelWhich surpasses even the wish-fulfilling gem, For accomplishing the highest aim, For accomplishing the highest aim,May I hold them dear at all times. May I always consider them precious. I will always hold them dear.

Verse 2. “In Particular, View Yourself as Lowly and Cultivate Respect for Others”Whenever I interact with someone, Wherever I go, with whomever I go, Whenever I’m in the company of others,May I view myself as the lowest amongst May I see myself as less than all others, I will regard myself as the lowest among all, all,And, from the very depths of my heart, And from the depth of my heart And from the depths of my heartRespectfully hold others as superior May I consider them supremely precious. Cherish others as supreme.

1 TRANSLATION 1 TRANSLATION 2 TRANSLATION 3 from Transforming the Mind from Training the Mind provisional Rigpa translation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Verse 3. “Watch Your Mind and Drive Out Mental Afflictions”

In all my deeds may I probe into my mind, May I examine my mind in all actions In my every action, I will watch my mind,And as soon as mental and emotional And the moment destructive emotions And as soon as a negative state occurs, afflictions arise— arise,As they endanger myself and others— Since it endangers myself and others, I will confront them strongly and avert them,May I strongly confront them and avert May I firmly face and avert it. them. Since they will hurt both me and others.

Verse 4. “Cherish as Hard to Find Those Who, In Their Misery, Commit Evil or Suffer Greatly”When I see beings of unpleasant character When I see beings of a negative Whenever I see ill-natured beings,Oppressed by strong negativity and disposition Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds suffering, Or those oppressed by negativity or pain, or suffering,May I hold them dear—for they are rare May I, as if finding a treasure, consider to find— I will cherish them as something rare, them precious,As if I have discovered a jewel treasure! For they are rarely met. As though I’d found a priceless treasure.

2 TRANSLATION 1 TRANSLATION 2 TRANSLATION 3 from Transforming the Mind from Training the Mind provisional Rigpa translation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Verse 5. “Accept Such Loss as Being Blamed, Without Trying to Defend Yourself”When others, out of jealousy, Whenever others, due to their jealousy, Whenever someone out of envy

Treat me wrongly with abuse, slander, Revile and treat me in unjust ways, Does me wrong by attacking or belittling and scorn, me, May I accept this defeat myself,May I take upon myself the defeat I will take defeat upon myself, And offer the victory to others.And offer to others the victory. And give the victory to others.

Verse 6. “Recognize One Who Harms You As More Kind Than One Who Helps You”When someone whom I have helped, When someone whom I have helped Even when someone I have helped,Or in whom I have placed great hopes, Or in whom I have placed great hope Or in whom I have placed great hopesMistreats me in extremely hurtful ways, Mistreats me very unjustly, Harms me with great injustice,May I regard him still as my precious May I see that one as a sacred friend. I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher. teacher.

3 TRANSLATION 1 TRANSLATION 2 TRANSLATION 3 from Transforming the Mind from Training the Mind provisional Rigpa translation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Verse 7. “Give Help and Happiness To Others, and Take on Their Harm and Suffering“In brief, may I offer benefit and joy In short, may I offer, both directly and In brief, directly or indirectly, indirectly,To all my mothers, both directly and I will offer help and happiness to all my indirectly, All joy and benefit to all beings, my mothers, mothers, And may I myself secretlyMay I quietly take upon myself And secretly take upon myself Take on all their hurt and suffering.All hurts and pains of my mothers. All their harm and suffering.

Verse 8. “Remain Pure and Overcome Attachment to Illusory Objects”

May all this remain undefiled May they not be defiled I will learn to keep all these practicesBy the stains of the eight mundane By the concepts of the eight mundane Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns; concerns, concerns.And may I, recognizing all things as illusion, May I recognize all things as like illusions, And aware that all things are illusory,Devoid of clinging, be released from And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage. May they, ungrasping, be free from bondage. bondage.